This training is designed to harness the well documented therapeutic benefits of Tai Chi and Chi-Kung along with Alexander Technique, NLP, Clinical Hypnotherapy, CBT etc. The aim is to create change both mental and physical, and to encourage continued personal development.

This is in line with the recommendations of NICE clinical guideline NG115 and QS10, NG106 and QS9.

Key Benefits

Improved mind & body awareness through Tai Chi skills

Improved pain management

Studies show effectiveness with fibromyalgia

improved personal stability/alignment and relaxation

Change people's phobic response to their conditions (read more under NLP and Hypnotherapy)

Taken from an article published in the Journal of Respiratory Diseases

Tai Chi has been suggested as an appropriate, if not ideal, form of exercise for patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease. Because it is a low-impact form of exercise that uses slow movements, it appears to be suitable for persons across a wide range of functional capacities, including those with severe deconditioning associated with CHF or COPD.

Emphasis on efficient breathing, relaxation, and stress reduction may also make Tai Chi a good choice. It offers an advantage over conventional exercise in that it can be practiced anywhere, at any time, and in a group or alone, and it requires no equipment. The physical activity of Tai Chi is estimated to be mild-moderate aerobic exercise, at 1.6 to 4.6 metabolic equivalents and 50% to 74% maximal heart rate, depending on the person's age and the intensity of practice. 2-10

What is the evidence?

More than 20 studies on Tai Chi have measured functional capacity in various cardiac populations, as well as in persons without known cardiopulmonary disease. For example, several observational trials have found that seasoned Tai Chi practitioners had better exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake on bicycle stress test) than age-matched controls who had never practiced Tai Chi.11-13

Lan and associates14 reported improved maximal oxygen uptake in patients recovering from coronary bypass surgery who practiced Tai Chi for 12 months when compared with those who walked for exercise. A meta-analysis of 7 trials (4 experimental and 3 observational) suggested that Tai Chi can improve aerobic capacity.15

Two studies have specifically examined Tai Chi in patients with CHF. Yeh and associates,16 who conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 30 patients, reported improvements in functional capacity as measured by the 6-minute walk, disease-specific quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [MLHFQ]), and serum B-type natriuretic peptide levels after 12 weeks of Tai Chi. Trends were also seen in improved peak oxygen uptake in the Tai Chi practitioners compared with the usual-care control group. Similarly, Fontana and associates,17 in a nonrandomized study involving 5 patients, reported improved functional capacity as measured by the 6-minute walk test, improved global and disease-specific quality-of-life (Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire [SF-36] and MLHFQ), and reduced dyspnoea (or dyspnea).

Due to limitation of breathing, joint pain and/or fibromyalgia, patients believe they are unable to be involved with any form of effective exercise; this is where Tai Chi and Chi-kung (breath exercise) really come into their own.

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